9 Websites Every Autograph Collector Should Bookmark

byMatt RaymondonJanuary 19, 2011

Any veteran grapher knows their most valuable tool of the trade is not a Sharpie or a stack of 8x10s. It’s information. Whether it’s a tip from a fellow collector or a celebrity tweeting where the after party is, good intel is critical to maximizing your autograph opportunities.

Over the years I have relied on numerous sources to keep me informed, and I’d like to share the nine websites that I find indispensable. Bookmark these resources and I have no doubt your collection of autographs and experiences will grow exponentially.

SportsGraphing.com – I find the in-person board on this site especially impressive. Hoards of active contributors post on a daily basis (or more) and I often find myself clicking through the threads in awe of their latest graphing successes.SportsCollectors.net – The site’s huge database of through the mail (TTM) returns and private signings stand out. The message board topics tend to skew toward baseball, but there is something here for everyone.

On The Road With Pat Neshek Message Board – Started by Minnesota Twins pitcher and autograph collector Pat Neshek, this board has a baseball slant. Neshek is an active moderator on the site and it’s worth a visit just to check out his latest giveaways and trades—in which he puts an item (usually game-used) from his or a teammate’s collection up against the best offer from other collectors. I also encourage you to read Pat’s excellent blog.

[There is no better way to learn about autograph collecting than from other collectors. Whether it’s info on upcoming events or in-person accounts that offer insight into signing habits, message boards are gushing with information. For years I lurked in these communities, reading the posts but not sharing anything of my own. Only recently have I become an active participant and, not coincidentally, I’m learning more than ever before.]

Twitter – A site where celebrities share where they are and what they’re doing in real time? Yeah, that would be very helpful.

SigningsHotline.com – More than a few items in my collection started as tips on this comprehensive listing of public and private signings in the U.S. and Canada. Without opening your wallet you can peruse the free listings, but I suggest ponying up $12.99 for the DeLuxe Bronze membership to get a year’s access to all the signings.

Your local gossip column’s Web page – Every weekday morning I read the Boston Herald’s Inside Track for visibility into Beantown’s celebrity scene. Find your local equivalent and sift through the muck to find the pearls. It’s well worth the investment.

On Location Vacations – Looking to find out where the cameras are rolling in your town? OLV publishes detailed information about filming locations and celebrity sightings in near real-time. I follow them on Twitter for the latest updates: @olv

Help me grow this list. Which websites do you find indispensable to your autograph collecting?

This is very true! Pat’s site has helped me increase my collection tremendously. It’s the best I have found so far. Scf is one I go to as well. I would also suggest looking for a site specific to your major city’s teams. I belong to motown sports collectors. I also belong to a site called sports gatherings http://www.sportsgatherings.com/forum/
Not that many people post there yet, so please check it out, and help make it a better community. There are quite a few members, but no one posts. I have learned a lot from message boards like Pat’s, so I would like it if people helped others as well too! I Asking questions is also very important because most people would love to help you out. If you join a message board and find one valuable piece of info on collecting, I figure it’s worth it to spend a little time to improve your collection, and it might save you lots of trouble, time, and money in the future.

I would also recommend http://www.MarkedOut.com . It is a site with members all around the world that share their in person experiences with celebrities, athletes, wrestlers, etc. The forum is really active and they list tons of signings and conventions.

I have been trying to put together a collection of every player from the 2010 Blackhawks Stanley Cup team. I am hoping you can help me. I need Brent Sopel and Nick Boynton. The toughest part is that I want them to have them in a Hawks uniform and logo. Could you please help or send me in the direction of someone that can?

Hi Andrew, I’d suggest checking out the Sportsgraphing.com and Sportscollectors.net forums. They each have message boards where you can post your wants and very active communities of hockey collectors who may be able to help you out.

Hi Lauren, a matte finish would likely hold the Sharpie slightly better but a glossy is going to be a better-looking item. I don’t think you should worry about what holds the ink better between the two – they’ll both be fine. Make your decision based on what looks best to you.

I believe what you said made a lot of sense.
However, think on this, suppose you added a little content?

I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your blog, however what
if you added a headline that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean 9 Websites
Every Autograph Collector Should Bookmark is kinda vanilla.
You ought to glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create news headlines
to get viewers to click. You might try adding a video or a pic or two to get readers excited about what you’ve got to say.
In my opinion, it would bring your posts a little bit more interesting.